Defense chief eyes revival of joint military training with Singapore

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 28): Defense chief eyes revival of joint military training with Singapore

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they are seriously considering the revival of joint military training with Singapore.

Formerly dubbed as Anoa-Singa, the joint military training started in 1994 after the Philippines and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding in 1993.

It was however stopped in 1996 due to the lack of a formal agreement between the two military forces.

Lorenzana said the DND is interested in reviving this partnership as the country can learn a lot from Singapore, especially in the development of its defense industries.

"Singapore is a very small country, (with) 6 million people, an area of 675 sq. km. -- very small, but they have also developed their defense industries," he added.

Lorenzana said the Singaporeans are producing their own artillery and the Terex, an infantry fighting vehicle that is of their own design.

What Singapore is lacking is an area where they can hold military exercises, hence it conducts its training and drills in Australia, Taiwan and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Lorenzana said he will discuss the revival of the Anoa-Singa with his Singaporean counterpart within the year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=958938